Randy's Guide CLXXIX (179)

Historic milestones this week: 14 years since Taiwan's first direct elections; 21 years since the Exxon Valdez oil spill; 47 years since Alcatraz closes; 79 years since Nevada legalized gambling; 105 years since the publication of Einstein's theory on special relativity; and 160 years since Henry Wells and William Fargo founded American Express.


Local News
Yelp is in hot water... again. Now, the online source of user reviews for local businesses is the target of three class-action lawsuits. The accusations seem fairly believable: businesses are extorted for advertising revenue to place positive reviews near the top or to delete negative reviews. www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/03/18/BU2O1CH68C.DTL


Change for Change
The San Francisco Suicide Prevention is the oldest volunteer crisis line in the U.S., with its first services (the crisis line) in 1963. That number 415-781-0500 responds to over 200 calls each and every day. The program also includes help for Spanish speakers, youths, HIV/AIDS patients, and drug rehabilitation. www.sfsuicide.org

Previous organizations Randy's Guide has spotlighted and donated: Common Ground Relief, LYRIC, Aldea Inc., Glide Memorial, City CarShare, Maitri, Loaves and Fishes, Friends of the Urban Forest, Farm Sanctuary, Bay Area Community Services, Blue Energy, My New Red Shoes, College Track, Foundation for the People of Burma, Vital Life Services, Little Angel Fund, San Francisco Health Services Coalition, Natural Resources Defense Council, Bay Localize, San Francisco Women Against Rape, Sustainable Conservation, Ashoka, Old Skool Cafe, Darfur Sister Schools, Rebuilding Together San Francisco, Asian & Pacific Islander Wellness Center, and Urban Solutions.


Deal of the Week
Free box of Better Oats! www.betteroats.com


Environmental News
A lone wolverine has been detected in California for the first time in 90 years. Apparently, the carnivore - a member of the weasel family - is from Idaho's Sawtooth Range and somehow made it to the Sierra Nevada. www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/03/09/MNPJ1CATHU.DTL


Weekend Weather
Continued warm, though each day will be slightly cooler than the previous day.

THU-FRI
Highs: low-70s (coast-SF); mid-70s (bay); upper-70s (inland)
Lows: near 50

SAT-SUN
Highs: low-60s (coast); mid-60s (SF-bay); upper-60s (inland)
Lows: near 45


Music
"Me and Mia" by Ted Leo and the Pharmacists (Washington, D.C.)

The rockers have previously opened for Pearl Jam. Now they're headliners, with Salley Crewe and the Sudden Moves opening. At the Great American Music Hall (SF), $17. www.tedleo.com


Movies {domestic revenues through March 14}
"Alice in Wonderland" held first rank with $62.7 million [rated PG; 3728 theatres; $16,822 per theatre; 2nd weekend; $209.3 million]. The Matt Damon thriller "Green Zone" premiered weakly with $14.3 million [rated R; 3003 theatres; $4,765 per theatre]. The comedy "She's Out of My League" debuted with a mere $9.8 million [rated R; 2956 theatres; $3,307 per theatre]. Robert Pattinson couldn't draw huge crowds for "Remember Me," which opened with $8.1 million [rated PG-13; 2212 theatres; $3,657 per theatre]. And the cross-cultural marriage comedy "Our Family Wedding" tallied a paltry $7.6 million [rated PG-13; 1605 theatres; $4,754 per theatre].

The Bounty Hunter (PG-13): Action comedy; about a mediocre bounty hunter assigned to track down his ex-wife; co-starring Gerard Butler and Jennifer Aniston

Diary of a Wimpy Kid (PG): Comedy; about the adventures of one middle-school boy over the course of a school year

The Girl on the Train (NR): Drama; about an unemployed Parisian woman whose new job and boyfriend create some drama; co-starring Catherine Deneuve

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (NR): Thriller; about a secretive, powerful family whose investigators start to unravel some critical mysteries

Mother (R): Drama; about a single mother who attempts to track down a young girl's real killer in order to prove her son's innocence

Neil Young Trunk Show (NR): Documentary; about the famed rocker Neil Young; directed by Jonathan Demme ("Rachel Getting Married")

Repo Men (R): Sci-fi comedy; about a medical company's repossession team who is sent to collect unpaid artificial organs; co-starring Jude Law and Forest Whitaker

The Runaways (R): Musical biopic; about the ground-breaking, all-female rock group from the 1970s; co-starring Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning

DVD Pick - Sugar (R): As if you won't have enough sports action with March Madness, but here's an informative, exciting look into the minor-league baseball system for one player from the Dominican Republic. Domestic box office: $1.1 million.


Free Activities
San Francisco Chamber Orchestra [Thu 5:30p, Fri 8p, Sun 3p]: Featuring Israeli mandolinist Avi Avital, along with the works of Bach and Beethoven. At the Contemporary Jewish Museum (SF), Herbst Theatre (SF), and First Congregational Church (Berkeley). www.sfchamberorchestra.org

Folk Concert at the de Young [Fri 6-8:45p]: Featuring bluegrass, Texas swing, and country music, with KUSF DJ Schmeejay and local artists Sonya Philip and Vera Costa. At the de Young Museum (SF). www.famsf.org

Obscura Day [Sat various times]: Check out events at local cultural sites in San Francisco, across the U.S., and around the globe (including Tokyo and London). At Musee Mechanique (SF) and assorted other locations. www.atlasobscura.com

Little Seismic Dance Company [Sun 2-5:30p]: Free open dance workshop from 2-4p; open performance from 4-5p; Q&A and refreshments from 5-5:30p. At the Conservatory of Dance (SF). www.sfconservatoryofdance.org


Paid Activities
Art International [Fri 11a-8p, Sat 11a-7p, Sun 11a-5p]: 2nd annual. Featuring the work by reader Jenny R. At The Concourse (SF), $15. www.artinternationalfair.com

Altan concert [Fri 8p]: Featuring the veteran Celtic group. At Zellerbach Hall (Berkeley), $10-36. www.calperformances.org

An Evening with Kiri Te Kanawa [Sat 8p]: Featuring the classical soprano in her only Bay Area concert. At the Marin Center (San Rafael), $25-95. www.marincenter.org

Jake Shimabukuro [Sun 7p/9p, Mon 8p/10p]: Featuring previous Randy's Guide ukelele musician. At Yoshi's (SF), $18-24. www.jakeshimabukuro.com

Juliet [through Sunday]: Featuring six female and one male Juliets to explore the perspective of the famous Shakespearean lover. At San Francisco State's Little Theatre, $8-12. http://creativearts.sfsu.edu

Concerning Strange Devies from the Distant West [through April 11]: About 19th-century photography and 21st-century art scams in Japan. At the Berkeley Repertory Theatre, $13-71. www.berkeleyrep.org

Previous: Theatre - Mirrors in Every Corner [through Sunday in SF]; Art - Cartier exhibit [through Apr. 18 in SF]